Electric Volkswagen ID. Golf set to receive next-generation battery tech

• Shared MEB underpinnings with ID.3
• Hot GTI variant possible
• Due to arrive before 2026

The Volkswagen Golf is due for a facelift this year, primarily intended to fix its troublesome infotainment system by fitting a much larger and more responsive unit. However, as Volkswagen aims for half its new vehicle sales to be fully-electric by 2030, it’s likely that the Mk8 Golf will be the last generation of the iconic model to be offered with a combustion engine.

So, with the Volkswagen ID.3 currently filling the Golf’s role in the German brand’s range – what’s to happen to the long-running family hatchback once it reaches the end of its lifespan? In an interview with our sister publication Auto Express, VW boss Thomas Schäfer hinted the Golf nameplate will continue into the electric generation.

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When asked whether Volkswagen may have an ID. Golf model in the pipeline, Schäfer coyly replied; “We might”.

“We have iconic brand names like Golf and GTI. You’d be crazy to let them die. At the moment we’re working out our future line-up and naming logic. We will probably stick with ID. – but at the same time iconic models will also carry their name, like we have with the ID. Buzz. It works.”

Thus, with the ID. Golf almost certainly on the cards in the coming years, what can we expect the all-electric Mk9 model to look like? Our exclusive images show what we expect from the next-generation car, acting as a sportier alternative to the ID.3 of which it’ll undoubtedly share its MEB all-electric underpinnings with. 

While the MEB platform was expected to be discontinued in 2026 in favour of a newer, more expensive architecture known as PPE, rumours suggest that VW could double-down on its pre-existing MEB underpinnings by investing around £1.1 billion into improving it.

These improvements could include faster charging speeds of up to 200kW as well as compatibility with new ‘unified’ battery cells that VW claims could be up to 50% cheaper to produce and offer 30% more range than pre-existing hardware.

This added performance could come in handy as Schäfer also hinted the GTI monolith could also continue with the transition to electric power: “The discussion we’re having now is to get the electric vehicles into performance and then carry the GTI name forward… GTX was an idea on the way to electrification; we came up with a different name. In future, whether we’ll need this or not, we’ll see. But GTI is so strong.”

For now, we can only wait and see what happens. The Volkswagen ID.3 is also due for a major update this year to keep it competitive with the likes of the much-cheaper MG4 and hi-tech Renault Megane E-Tech. Regardless, if it does come to fruition, the ID. Golf isn’t expected to hit the scene before Volkswagen’s budget EV. Set to receive the ID.2 nameplate, this will cost less than £25,000 and is expected to make its debut before the end of 2025, with the ID. Golf following shortly after.

Can’t wait for a new electric car? Check out our list of the top 10 best electric family cars